You’re struggling to get ahead in your manufacturing operations career. How can you turn things around?

2 Seek learning opportunities

The manufacturing industry is constantly evolving with new technologies, methods, and standards. To stay relevant and competitive, you need to update your knowledge and skills regularly. You can seek learning opportunities in various ways, such as taking online courses, attending workshops, reading books or blogs, or joining professional associations. You can also look for opportunities to learn on the job, such as taking on new projects, tasks, or roles that challenge you and expose you to different aspects of manufacturing operations. Learning new things will not only enhance your capabilities, but also show your initiative and curiosity.

3 Build your network

Networking is essential for any career, but especially for manufacturing operations. By building your network, you can access valuable information, resources, and opportunities that can help you advance your career. You can network with people inside and outside your organization, such as colleagues, managers, customers, suppliers, competitors, or industry experts. You can also network online, such as on social media, forums, or podcasts. To network effectively, you need to be proactive, respectful, and helpful. You need to reach out to people, introduce yourself, share your interests and goals, ask for advice or referrals, and offer your support or expertise.

4 Showcase your achievements

One of the best ways to get ahead in your manufacturing operations career is to showcase your achievements. You need to demonstrate your value and impact to your organization and the industry. You can showcase your achievements in various ways, such as creating a portfolio, updating your resume, writing a blog, or giving a presentation. You can also showcase your achievements by applying for awards, certifications, or recognition programs that validate your skills and performance. Showcasing your achievements will not only boost your confidence and credibility, but also attract the attention of potential employers or clients.

5 Seek feedback and evaluation

Finally, to turn things around in your manufacturing operations career, you need to seek feedback and evaluation. Feedback and evaluation are crucial for your continuous improvement and growth. They help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, measure your progress and results, and adjust your actions and strategies. You can seek feedback and evaluation from various sources, such as your managers, peers, mentors, customers, or external auditors. You can also use tools such as performance reviews, surveys, or metrics to evaluate your own performance. You need to seek feedback and evaluation regularly, and use them to set new goals and plans.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?